From Wikitravel

Guayaquil [1] is the largest city in Ecuador.

[edit] Understand

Guayaquil is a sea port, and its personality derives much from that fact. Also, the climate is very hot. These two factors give the city a 'Caribbean' soul, where foreigners are usually well received, tropical music rules and seafood is a must do.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The new José Joaquín de Olmedo international airport, elected as best South American Airport, is located near the city center and is next to the bus terminal. Taxis to a hotel in the northern suburbs shouldn't cost more than $3 and a ride to downtown, where most attractions are located, is about $5.

If you are planning to visit the Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil is the cheapest place to take a flight from. Both Aerogal and TAME have flights.

International departure airport tax was just recently increased in Guayaquil and is about $27.16. About 15$ cheaper than Quito airport.

[edit] By car

If you are driving, Your horn is your best friend. Drive both Aggresive and Deffensive. Gas stations are full service and fully armed. Keep some extra cash on you incase you get stopped.

[edit] By bus

Guayaquil's bus terminal is well organized, but still keep an close eye on your belongings. There are frequent connections to almost every destination in Ecuador

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

Taxis range from "taxi amigos" (un-marked taxis you call to pick you up) to the standard yellow cabs. Taxi drivers will try to over charge tourists. Nicer taxis are metered by GPS.

We can recommend to travel with Tour Operator Galanet (www.galapagosnet.com) owner of its own fleet of first class vehicules. Speek french, dutch, german, italian, spanish and english. Excellent exclusif programm´s like Bird island or Maket Tour.

[edit][add listing] See

These places are located in the downtown area, near the main hotels and at the heart of the regenerated area, a very secure walk.

• The Malecon 2000. It is a long park beside the Rio Guayas ("Guayas River"), with shops, an IMAX theater, gardens, and a beautiful view of both the river and downtown.

• The "Malecon del Salado" located next to the "Estero Salado" (an estuary of sea water), here you can enjoy fresh air and wonderful sunsets, with restaurants of typical food, all framed within a very safe new park.

• The renewed downtown area (Area regenerada), very secure to walk and look around.

• Museums (Museo Municipal, Museo Nahim Isaias, MAAC and Presley Northon Museum are located in the center of the downtown)

• Santa Ana & El Carmen hills, you can see almost the whole city from here. You can walk up the 400 odd steps to the top from the Malecon 2000. There is a lighthouse, museum, small chapel and park at the top. Along the stairs, vendors sell water, ice cream and other snacks.

• Las Peñas, where the city was founded, was actually rebuilt and painted bright colors.

• Parks, we recommend to visit the "Parque de las Iguanas" downtown, which is home to hundreds of tame iguanas, some fish in a pond and a black squirrel or two.

• The Central Bank building has several giant paintings on the outside of the building.

• Markets, you can visit the "Mercado Artesanal", where you can buy some very cheap souvenirs from all regions of Ecuador. Near the Malecon 2000.

Other interesting places near Guayaquil:

• "Parque Histórico", an interesting recreation of the early 20th century years of Guayaquil, the look, the people and the food. Includes a small zoo.

• "Crucero Discovery", rides up and down the Rio Guayas. You can catch it at Malecon 2000. Crazy parties at night.

• Salinas, the main beach. Fishing, surfing, and other water sports. Many modern hotels and delicious sea food. Interesting night life. Wonderful whalewatching during June to September.

The following places are interesting to see if you are daring:

• 6 de Marzo is an interesting street to visit about 10 blocks from the downtown area during the week before New Year's Eve, because the street is lined with "Años Viejos" or old years, paper maché figures ranging in size from about 12 inches up to 10 or more feet tall. These are often political, movie or cartoon characters.

• La Bahía, just off the southern end of the Malecon 2000. Huge market area full of shops and stalls of almost anything imaginable. Because it is so cheap you will have lower social class people and have to be a little careful with belongings.

• Cocoa or Banana plantations are located around Guayaquil city.

• Dreamkapture Travel offers Day trips around Guayaquil, Dolfin watch and Trekking activities.* Dreamkapture Travel/.

[edit][add listing] Do

Malecon 2000 (waterfront), Las Peñas, Simon Bolivar Park (also known as parque de las iguanas), Centenario Park, 9 Octubre avenue from east to west, Malecon del Salado (salty waterfront), Cemetry, Mercado Artesanal, Cathedral, Museo Nahim Isais, Museo Municipal, Museo Presley Northon, Museo MAAC, Museo de la historia de la Cuidad, Clock Tower, Botanical Gardens, Zona Rosa (disco), Urdesa (restaurants), Flower Market, ...

[edit] Learn

There are many language schools and some universities. Guayaquil is also home to the only U.S. accredited college in all of South America, Brookdale Community College, Ecuador.

[edit] Work

Lots of English speakers work at English academies or schools teaching English. Legally, they should have some kind of visa that permits them to work, but some schools don't pay much attention to the legal status of the teachers. Wages are not up to U.S. standards and hours can be rough (mornings, evening and Saturdays), but a passable living is possible. Indeed, some people come to Ecuador to work specifically because the economy is dollarized.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are ten centros comerciales. Besides that, there are several popular spots like mercados Artesenal and la Bahia.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• There are many typical dishes to try from such as encebollado, seco de pollo, ceviche, and caldo de salchicha.

• There are also many international fast food chains throughout the city such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Taco Bell, and more.

• It is recommended to eat at the Parrillada del Nato; foods such oven cooked pizza, grilled meat,and more are served.

• Chinese restaurants (Chifas) are found throughout the city, and their food is very good.

• 'El Patacón' restaurant in Urdesa serves typical dishes, mostly based on verde (green bananas also known as 'Plátano Macho' on Central America). Recommended is the 'bolón'

[edit] Budget

• To stay one week and to go to clubs and everything you will need at least $200 per person and that will be staying on a good hotel?

[edit] Mid-range

• Lo Nuestro has a good variety of typical dishes.

• You can also go to a restaurant where the best 'encebollado' is sold. The place is called "Encebollado cordero". it is located near the IESS.

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

• El Gran Yate, Alborada (close to Dreamkapture). Best crabs and beers! 1$ a crab edit

• Great nightlife, you can go to 5 or more discos in one night, and don't need to travel much.

• The usual price for entering is $10-$15 consumable, depending on where you go.

• Usually the parties there last to 4 am. but you can always find something else to do in this city.

• Visit the "Zona Rosa", located at the secure regenerated area, with several options of night life.

• Several brands of beer are available.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The city has hotels for every pocket. Some finer ones include

• Hilton Colon - 5 stars, located at the heart of the Northern area
• Hotel Oro Verde (Not to be mistaken with the Hotel Loro Verde)
• Hotel Continental - 5 stars
• Howard Johnson Hotel - 5 stars, near the airport
• Sheraton Four Points Hotel - 5 stars, in front of the Mall del Sol
• Best Western - 4 stars, near the main attractions
• Hotel Sanders- $9
• Dreamkapture - $10 - Dorms with AA Breakfast

Actually, there are plans to build other big international hotels near Malecon 2000, the main attraction of the city.

However, decent hotel rooms can be had for around $10 a night.

[edit] Northern suburbs

• DreamKapture hostal ([2]), Alborada 12 Av. Etapa, Mz-02 Villa 21. A friendly hostel with a nice outside area. They offer a book exchange and the accommodation comes with a delicious breakfast. Prices are on roombasis, but if it's possible you can share it with other people. A dorm 10$ with Breakfast. Also a Travel Agency and Great Deal for Galapagos Trip.

3$ taxi to Malecon or .25 cents bus drive. Close to Airport and Bus terminal.

• Ecuahogar, Av. Isidro Ayora ( Sauces Uno * Mz F-31 * Solar 20 ), 2245357 (2248241, 2273288, fax 2248357, email youthostal@telconet.net ). Basic, but expensive rooms with a ventilator and television. Bathrooms are shared. Two bread rolls with marmalade and a coffee for breakfast is included in the price. A night in a single room costs $12. It is far from the attractions area but near the airport and the national bus station (Terminal Terrestre).

[edit] Contact

There are cyber cafes around to communicate with distant friends and relatives. These often have telephone booths for making (VoIP) phone calls. Some malls (Mall del Sol, Riocentro Los Ceibos) even offer free Wi-Fi in the food courts, in addition to free entertainment. Buy $30 worth of groceries at Mi Comisariato and get a two for one coupon to the movies. A single weekday ticket is $2.80 as of 3 January 2007.

[edit] Stay safe

• About 10 years ago the city had high crime levels, today however the crime level has been greatly reduced, thanks in part to the Mayor's efforts.

• Avoid walking alone around the downtown area at night, especially off the main, well lit streets.

• Attacks have been reported where someone will distract the target so that the attacker can put a choke hold on the victim from behind and make the victim pass out in order to easily rob the person.

• The Malecón 2000 is safe during the day and night. There are tons of security guards hanging around during the day.

• It is better to avoid wearing jewelry that is expensive or appears to be of high quality.

• It is best not to consume lettuce due to the fact that it might not be properly cleaned and might make one sick, unless if you buy it from the supermarket.

• Jeans and a Baseball Cap is the local unifrom.

• The only drinkable water comes from a bottle.

[edit] Cope

Several consulates have offices in Guayaquil such as United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Syria, Switzerland, Japan, and others.

[edit] Get out

Piedra Blanca is just three hours away, where one can take rainforest tours, rafting expeditions and visit local fascinating cultural sites.

Other places that you can visit are the beaches at Playas which is about 40 minutes away, and the more popular Salinas beach which is about one hour away up the Via la Costa.

Quito is about a seven hour drive (less than an hour flight also for about $100 round trip -January 2007-)

Cuenca is about a four hour drive (half-hour flight for about $100 round trip -January 2007-) through beautiful and interesting scenery, including a mangrove preserve, cocoa and banana plantations, cloud forests and mountains.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!